About
Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN)

The aeronautical industry and air transportation was first officially recognized by the City of New Haven on November 23, 1922 when Mayor David E. Fitzgerald appointed a group of local citizens to assist him on all matters pertaining to aeronautic affairs.

On August 29, 1931, the New Haven Journal-Courier declared: “Elm City Takes Foremost Place in Flying World.” That day, before a crowd of 12,000 spectators, the New Haven Airport was officially dedicated, ushering in a new era of aviation for Southern Connecticut.

In 1933, Long Island–Connecticut Airways (LiCon) became the first airline to serve New Haven, offering flights to New York, Newark, Bridgeport, Providence, and Atlantic City. A year later, in 1934, American Airlines added New Haven as a scheduled stop on its New York–Boston route.

On November 8, 1942 at 11:00 AM the 429th Air Base & Headquarters Squadron under Command of Lieut. Logan Campbell, took over and occupied the airport following negotiations with the City of New Haven, converting it into an Army Air Base to support the war effort.

Following the war, Tweed returned to civilian use with carriers such as Eastern Air Lines and American Airlines reconnecting New Haven to major hubs. Runway paving, airfield lighting, and other upgrades for the war helped modernize the airport and set the stage for the arrival of jet service in the 1960s.

On June 25, 1961, New Haven Municipal Airport was renamed in honor of longtime airport manager John H. “Jack” Tweed, who had been instrumental in guiding its creation and growth.

Tweed opened the door to modern jet service and a new era of commercial aviation in New Haven with the construction of a new air traffic control tower, extended runways, and upgraded lighting.

The 1970s saw a mix of legacy and commuter airlines at Tweed. Eastern Air Lines briefly returned with jet service, while Allegheny Airlines and Pilgrim Airlines maintained key regional routes across the Northeast. These carriers sustained Tweed’s role as a vital connector during the rise of commuter air travel.

In 1978, hometown carrier New Haven Airways launched, rebranding as NewAir in 1980 and served New York, Philadelphia, and Washington until 1985.

In 1998, operations and management of Tweed transitioned to Avports, creating a long-standing public–private partnership that set the stage for future modernization and continues to this day.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Tweed maintained limited but steady commercial service, most notably with US Airways Express (later American Eagle) flights to Philadelphia. This period provided a vital regional link to national hubs as planning for expansion accelerated, community engagement grew, and the groundwork was laid for a stronger future.

On November 3, 2021, Avelo Airlines launched its inaugural flight from Tweed, restoring scheduled commercial service after the COVID-19 pandemic. With nonstop connections across the East Coast, Avelo ushered in a record-breaking new era of growth for HVN.

In 2022, the Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority signed a landmark 43-year lease with HVN’s longtime operator, Avports, paving the way for investment in a modern terminal, an extended runway, and long-term infrastructure improvements to serve Southern Connecticut.

In December 2024, Breeze Airways launched service from Tweed — the first time in nearly 20 years that HVN hosted more than one airline. The move reinforced the strong post-pandemic demand for air travel in Southern Connecticut and the need for 21st century infrastructure.

Tweed is now one of America’s fastest-growing airports, serving more than a million passengers annually. With plans underway for a new state-of-the-art terminal and runway, HVN is writing the next chapter of a legacy nearly a century in the making.